What is Summer Welcome?

 

Summer Welcome is an orientation program that each incoming freshman must attend before entering the University of Missouri. Each incoming student registers for one of over 30 two-day sessions offered from the beginning of June through mid-July.  The two days are jam packed with activities for students and parents.

 

Throughout the first day, students and parents are led to various sessions and presentations. Some of the session topics include being succesful with academics, financial aid, privacy, wellness and school spirit. Students are also placed in small groups with people who will be living in or near their residence hall. The small groups are designed to give incoming students a chance to get to know some of the people they will be seeing around when they arrive in the fall. Each small group is led by a Summer Welcome leader who is their go to person for the day.  Many students begin friendships and bonds at Summer Welcome that last the entirety of their collegiate career. At the end of the first day, students are invited to enjoy ice cream and see a revue skit put on by the leaders. The skit is followed by a pizza party in the residence hall that the incoming students stay in for the night.

 

Day two of Summer Welcome is highlighted by foreign language placement tests, scheduling classes and getting a student ID.  Students are more free to do what they want and explore the campus. After they finish their business on campus, families head home before they return to campus in August. 

 

The goal of Summer Welcome is to get incoming students familiar with the campus and excited to attend the university in the fall.  Each activity and session is planned with a purpose and is considered to be an essential part of the transition to college life.